
Flight cancellations due to snow are one of the most common concerns for travellers, especially during the winter months. While most say snow accumulation is the main reason, airports and airlines take several considerations into account before canceling flights. This article examines the impact of snow on flight operations, the key factors influencing cancellation decisions, and the general thresholds for snowfall that lead to flight cancellations.
Factors Influencing Flight Cancellations Due to Snow
Snow Accumulation on the Runway: Runway conditions are very important during snow events. Heavy snow can accumulate quickly and become slippery, making runways unsafe for takeoff and landing. Remove the snow before any runway event is very important in the success of take off and landing. Airports equipped with snow removal equipment and skilled crews are better positioned to maintain these runways. They can help to better manage major delays and reduce the risk of flight cancellations. Smaller airports and areas unaccustomed to heavy snow may have more difficulty managing snow, which may result in increased flight delays or cancellations.
Visibility and Weather Conditions: Beyond snow accumulation, visibility is one of the most significant factors in deciding whether to cancel flights. Heavy snowstorms can severely reduce visibility, making it difficult for pilots to navigate safely, especially during landing. Low visibility, combined with the challenges of controlling an aircraft in snowy conditions, often leads to cancellations.
Wind and turbulence also play a role in snow events. Many snowstorms are accompanied by strong winds that make takeoffs and landings difficult. Strong winds can cause severe weather conditions and make landings on icy or snowy runways even more dangerous. Airlines carefully consider these weather conditions before deciding to cancel, as safety is their number one priority.
Aircraft De-Icing: Ice accumulation on aircraft surfaces, particularly the wings, poses a significant risk. Snow and freezing rain can cause ice to form, affecting aerodynamics and potentially leading to accidents. De-icing procedures are necessary to ensure aircraft safety, but they are time-consuming. Airports with limited de-icing capacity may face extended delays, which can cause a backlog of flights waiting to be cleared for departure. If the airport cannot keep up with demand for de-icing, airlines may be forced to cancel flights to avoid excessive delays.
Airport Infrastructure: The size of the airport and its traffic volume are also essential considerations. Larger airports with more flights are more likely to experience cascading delays during snow events. A delay in one flight can cause a ripple effect, disrupting schedules throughout the day. Smaller regional airports may cancel flights more frequently since they might lack the necessary equipment and infrastructure to deal with snow effectively.
Airports located in regions that regularly experience heavy snowfall—such as parts of Canada, the northern United States, or northern Europe—are generally better equipped to manage snow events. These airports tend to have more robust snow removal fleets, de-icing capabilities, and trained personnel for handling winter storms. In contrast, airports in warmer regions may not be as well-prepared, and even moderate snow can lead to significant cancellations.
General Snowfall Thresholds for Flight Cancellations
There is no single standard for how much snow will cancel a flight, but airports and airlines follow general guidelines. The thresholds often depend on the airport’s capabilities, snow removal strategies, and current weather conditions.
Light Snow (1-2 inches): Light snowfalls are typically manageable for most airports. Routine snow removal and de-icing operations are sufficient to keep flights moving. While delays may occur, widespread cancellations are less common. Airports accustomed to winter weather can usually handle light snow without significant disruption.
Moderate Snow (3-6 inches): Moderate snow can still cause challenges. Delays and cancellations increase, especially when snow is accompanied by strong winds or poor visibility. Snow removal operations may cause temporary closures of the runway or taxiway. In these situations, many airports are focusing on early warning of routes, which can delay flights waiting for snow. Moderate snow and less visibility can lead to flight cancellations, especially at airports that don’t have the capacity to clear runways.
Heavy Snow (6+ inches): Heavy snow significantly increases the likelihood of flight cancellations. In these conditions, keeping runways and taxiways clear becomes a monumental task. High winds and low visibility often accompany heavy snow, making it unsafe for planes to take off or land. During these conditions, airlines may proactively cancel flights to ensure safety and avoid long delays. In some cases, airports may even shut down temporarily until conditions improve.
Heavy Snowstorms and Blizzards: If a large snow storm or Blizzard occurs with more than 12 inches of snow, accompanied by strong winds and near-zero visibility, it snt safe to go ahead with planned flights. Airports may be closed for extended periods, and airlines do cancel most flights until conditions are heavily improved. These events are rare but very frustrating, with hundreds of cancellations and many travellers waiting to rebook asap.
Forced cancellations: Airlines often cancel flights based on weather forecasts. If a Snowstorm is predicted to hit a major hub, airlines can cancel flights to avoid unmanageable passenger delays at airports. This strong cancellation allows airlines to manage resources more efficiently, rebook passengers and reduce disruption.
Coordination with Air Traffic Control: Air traffic control (ATC) plays a crucial role in managing flight operations during snow events. ATC works closely with airlines and airports to determine whether flights can operate safely and efficiently during winter storms. Coordination between ATC and ground crews is essential in ensuring that safety remains the top priority. Poor communication or lack of coordination can exacerbate delays or cancellations.
Passenger safety and convenience: In addition to operational concerns, airlines also consider safety and comfort. Long delays on the tarmac due to snow can cause inconvenient and dangerous conditions for commuters, especially in extreme cold. To avoid long waiting times, airlines can cancel flights rather than leave passengers stranded and stuck on the plane for long periods of time.
Flight cancellations due to snow can be caused by many things besides the amount of snow. Flight conditions, visibility, wind, aircraft de-icing requirements and airport infrastructure all play a role in determining whether a flight can be safely conducted in snowy conditions. While light snow may cause delays, heavy snow and heavy storms can greatly increase the chance of cancellation. Airline precautions, aircraft coordination and control and passenger safety all play a role in these decisions and ensure that flight operations contribute to safety in winter conditions.